Easter Theme

I had a few basket fillers commissioned for Easter this year.  I had fun creating unique bunnies and a chick! These were all made specifically made to be child or baby friendly.The small bunny and chicks did not have safety eyes or many extra parts, to make them safer for babies. Instead, I embroidered details and tried to stitch details as much as possible. 

So many bunnies in progress.

Bunnies + chick ready to ship!

Little chick, perfect for a baby-sized hand.

Dinosaur "Binky Buddy"

This dinosaur was a custom order for a friend. I had never heard of a binky buddy, but its a great idea! The toy, in this case a crochet dinosaur, has ribbon attached to him and a binky or pacifier is tied to the ribbon.

That makes finding the binky easier AND baby has a fun toy to hold on to! When baby grows out of his binky, cut the ribbon and have yourself a cute dinosaur friend. 

Check out this dino in action!

Cute sleeping baby with cute dino friend
Photo by S.S.

Thanks S.S. for sharing your lovely baby pics!
Photo by S.S.

Macro Fun

Can you tell what this picture is of?

(it is an Ewok ^_^)

New macro capabilities mean I have to play around! I just grabbed whatever was on my desk to play with... including this beautiful beetle:

Lots of chicks and bunnies have been made in preparation for Easter next week! Enjoy this cute guy on this Monday evening:

Cute chick is cute.

Blue Bird

This cute bird was a happy accident. I was testing out bird patterns for a different projects, and wasn't in love with the design. So I left the bird in my "to-do" pile for weeks. When I finally got back to it, I saw him in a whole new light. Some details really brought him to life.

You can find this bird here in my Etsy Shop.

I think this bird is smiling at me

Much happy, so photogenic

Unicorns

A fun special-order unicorn to start off March! She looks good in pink & purple.

IT'S SO FLUFFY!

Bat

I was commissioned by a friend to create a bat, which may seem like an odd animal choose, except her friend conducts research on bats. I love the idea of sending someone a crochet-version of her study organism! And I knew this was an animal I could take and make really adorable. At first, I wanted to add little fangs to this creature, but my friend suggested something a little less vampire-y (we wouldn't want to perpetuate inaccurate stereotypes of bats...) The result is something so cute I think I will have to make more. Yes, lots of adorable happy bats. This bat companion happily hangs upside down and has a hook and clasp built into its wing, so the wings fold up together. I'm really pleased with how this creature turned out:

Trying on different faces!

Just hangin' around.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Wednesdays, at least on the interwebs, is Work in Progress Wednesday or WIP. More specifically, in the crochet community everyone is asking “What's on your hook?” At anytime I am working on several projects; however, I try to minimize how many half-finished projects I have out at any one time. Wait--how am I working on a project if I’m not actually crocheting?

Each item I make has to be conceptualized and designed before I ever pick up a skein of yarn. Even when I am following a pattern that is already written, there is a choice of yarn color and style, hook size, and a level of interpretation and trial and error. There are many patterns available on the internet: some for free, others for purchase. My favorite website for beginners (and where I started with amigurumi) is AllAboutAmi. I found her patterns clear, easy to understand, and fun and adorable. From her patterns I realized that amigurumi patterns make mathematical sense. I have been able to use this general concept to make different shapes, which ultimately become my own patterns.

Maybe one day I will get into formal pattern writing, but for now suffice it to say there is a lot of mental power that goes into my patterns long before they become a reality! On this Wednesday there isn’t much on my hook, but that won’t last for long.

Most of the components I make are worked around in circles.

New year, new name

This month commemorates the 9 month anniversary of my Etsy shop. Though I have been crocheting for many years, it wasn't until I started making crochet dolls and animals, or amigurumi, that I found my calling. Creating cute and cuddly (and often nerdy) things with yarn is such a joy! To convey this message through my shop and blog, I enlisted the expertise of my dear friend, talented artist, and graphic designer, Amanda.  She nailed it - my quirky sense of style, my love of yarn & bunnies, everything. So I present, not just a new logo, but a new name: Hop & Stitch Crochet by Amy

Check out Amanda's beautiful fine art on her Etsy shop

This year I hope to get more variety in my shop and have a greater inventory. I hope to add more wearable items and homegoods, keeping with the cute (okay and nerdy) theme! I will also be keeping my blog more up-to-date. January is a month for new beginnings, let's get creating!

Holiday Orders

The last few weeks have been busy finishing orders before Christmas! I have had so much fun playing with new designs and completing tried and true creatures. Below is a brief round-up of what the last month has been full of:

Bed Bug
Earlier in December I donated a bed bug to the UCR Entomology craft fair raffle prize. It really caught someone's eye, and I was asked to make a bed bug just for her. I don't keep any bugs in my inventory (and you won't find any in my Etsy shop) because, well, I deal with bugs all day I want to make cute things when I get home! Actually, I love making bugs, I just didn't think anyone else like them... anyway I think I'll add some bed bugs to the shop in the new year (take this bug to bed with ya) and maybe some other related designs as well.

Totoro
I had several orders for this whimsical guy at the UCR craft fair. As far as monsters go, Totoro has to be the cutest. I absolutely love watching My Neighbor Totoro and making these chubby critters is just as fun.

Kangaroo
At the craft fair I had a request for a kangaroo. I knew a kangaroo would be challenging, but I love how he (she?) turned out! The pouch was probably my favorite part to add. While I planned on creating a whole new pattern from scratch, this kangaroo ended up being a prime example of borrowing bits and pieces from patterns I had already completed. While I always try to document my *new* designs, sometimes I just get excited and next thing you know I forgot how many stitches I added here or there. So, I could easily make another kangaroo, but this one will always be one of a kind.

Ewoks
My friend requested months ago that I make four Ewoks - one for each of her nephews. You have no idea how happy this made me! I've been wanting to get into Star Wars characters for awhile, and this was my excuse. Best yet, the Ewoks have such a cute unrefined look to them. Which  meant getting fuzzy yarn and patching together felt hoods to complete the look. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.

Phew! These are just the orders that needed to be completed before Christmas. I have several more things lined up in the queue (including several pokemon, some hats, and elegant washcloths [I do non-amigurumi too!]). Happy Holidays all.

Moo Cows and Unicorns

I've worked on dairy farms before, which may be in part why I love cows. They are essentially giant dogs who are sweet, gentle, and have no idea how big they are. With this amigurumi design I really wanted to make the cows as cute as possible. I currently have two varieties available: holstein and jersey cows. 

One of the challenges I enjoy is altering patterns to create new designs. One prime example of this is taking one of my cute cows, changing the yarn and embellishments, and making a chubby unicorn. I frequently have people ask me "can you make ____." With enough time and energy, almost any animal or pokemon can be crafted from shapes or patterns I'm already familiar with! Some just look cuter in yarn than others :D

UCR craft fair

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth at my very first craft fair this week! I had so much fun, and I am glad I was able to share my cute creations with so many people.

I'm working on lots of special orders before Christmas, but hope to have some new fun things in the shop soon! Until then, you can follow my Instagram account, @acm_bunherder, for updates and project pictures :)

Thank you!

*edit* I think next year I will need at least a whole table to myself!

Pocket critter - Pikachu

'Pokemon' is short for 'pocket monster', so it's no wonder these characters make such cute pocket critters! I love this little companion-sized Pikachu

The many faces of Lumpy Space Princess

Lumpy Space Princess is my favorite. Is it because she is purple? Sassy? Lumpy? All I know is that I can't get enough of her:

Blastoise

I recently fulfilled a request to create Blastoise as a gift. While I would normally go for a kawaii/silly face, I think this version of Blastoise turned out very well. This is definitely a pattern I will be exploring again! My favorite part about this guy is his water cannons and tiny tail... what a fun pokemon!

Jake the Dog Amigurumi

This travel-sized Jake is ready for any and all adventures!

Lumpy Space Princess

Another addition to the pocket critter collection! Here is Lumpy Space Princess

Monsters Inc - Mike Wazowski

Who doesn't want a pocket monster?? Only... well, the monster kind. It's Mike Wazowski

Pocket Critter - Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff is even more fun when she is pint-sized

Pocket Critters - bunny

I've been working on some new amigurumi designs. I wanted to make some fun creatures that were a little smaller and less complex, so they could be completed more swiftly and be a less expensive alternative to some of my larger intricate designs. Thus, the pocket critters were born. I've had lots of fun taking my favorite characters and minimizing them into one small package of cuteness. I hope to expand upon my collection soon, and any and all ideas are welcome. Here is my first creation; of course, a bunny.

Pig

A friend of mine wanted "a pig." I tried to make her as cute as possible! I am particularly in love with the curly tail.